“But until now, everything he has done, has actually made our trade deficit with China WORSE”

Tariffs have been put into effect in stages. So Chinese exporters cram their goods onto ships to try to beat the tariffs. For example, tariffs were scheduled to increase from 10% to 25% in January (postponed because of talks). Therefore, Chinese companies have front loaded exports to beat that increase. Once the higher tariffs kick in, then exports will fall.

Same pattern could happen with the remaining $267 billion of Chinese goods not yet subject to tariffs. Once a tariff schedule is announced, front loading will occur and then drop off.

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